In a move to bolster their bullpen, the San Diego Padres have recently announced the signing of Korean relief pitcher Woo Suk Go to a two-year contract. This signing brings a new addition to the Padres’ roster and aims to enhance the team’s overall performance in the upcoming seasons. The deal, worth $4.5 million, was confirmed by a source to ESPN and reported by the New York Post. Let’s take a closer look at Go’s background, his recent performances, and what he brings to the Padres.
Woo Suk Go, a talented 25-year-old right-hander, spent the last five years as the closer for the LG Twins in the Korean Baseball Organization. During his time with the LG Twins, Go showcased his skills and ability to consistently save games. Accumulating an impressive 139 saves and maintaining a commendable 2.39 ERA from 2019 to 2023, Go has certainly established himself as a reliable and effective closer.
With his move to the San Diego Padres, Woo Suk Go will become a valuable addition to the team’s backend bullpen mix. The Padres already boast a formidable bullpen with players like Robert Suarez and Yuki Matsui, the latter being a Japanese left-hander signed to a lucrative five-year, $28 million deal just days before Christmas. The inclusion of Go brings further depth and diversifies the pitching options available to the Padres’ coaching staff.
Go had a standout year in 2022, posting an outstanding 1.48 ERA and securing 42 saves, the most in the Korean Baseball Organization that season. In 60 2/3 innings pitched, he struck out an impressive 80 batters while only allowing a mere 21 walks. While his performance slightly dipped in 2023, with his ERA increasing to 3.68 and his WHIP rising from 0.96 to 1.36, it is evident that Go possesses immense talent and the potential to bounce back stronger.
The Korean relief pitcher primarily relies on a mid- to high-90s fastball, combined with a low-90s cutter. Moreover, Go has also demonstrated his mastery of a devastating 12-to-6 breaking ball, adding a significant amount of variety and unpredictability to his pitching arsenal. With his diverse repertoire, Go poses a challenge to opposing batters and provides the Padres with a versatile pitching option.
As part of the KBO posting system, the San Diego Padres will be required to pay a transfer fee of 20% of Go’s contract guarantee to his former team, the LG Twins. This transfer fee amounts to a substantial sum of $900,000. While the fee serves as a financial contribution to the LG Twins, it also illustrates the Padres’ confidence in Go’s abilities and their commitment to acquiring top talent.
In addition to the two-year contract, Woo Suk Go’s deal with the San Diego Padres includes a mutual option for the 2026 season. This feature allows both parties to assess their future collaboration and potentially extend the agreement. This mutual option reflects the team’s long-term approach in acquiring talented players and signals their intention to maintain Go as a crucial part of their bullpen.
With the signing of Woo Suk Go, the San Diego Padres have added a talented and promising relief pitcher to their roster. Go’s impressive statistics and diverse pitching repertoire make him a valuable asset for the Padres’ backend bullpen mix. As the team looks ahead to the upcoming seasons, the addition of Go aims to strengthen their pitching staff and enhance their overall performance. Padres fans can certainly look forward to witnessing the impact Woo Suk Go will have on the team’s success.
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